5 Impreza Grille Replacement Tips

Replacing the grille on your Impreza is much easier than it sounds. It's something you can do at home if you have the right tools. In this post, we'll give you an overview of replacing the grille on an Impreza. We'll also give you some useful tips that will make the job much easier.

Removing A Subaru Impreza Grille & Installing A New One: A Basic Overview

Impreza grille removal

Image Credit: eastalpscustom

We put together a basic overview of the Subaru Impreza grille replacement process:

  1. Open the hood and then prop it up.
  2. With a plastic wedge or a flathead screwdriver, remove the 6 plastic push clips around the grille.
  3. There are 4 more push clips on top of the grille. Remove those.
  4. Pull out the heat shield behind the grille.
  5. Behind the grille, there are 2 screws on each side. Remove those screws.
  6. Push in the four tabs along the bottom of the grille.
  7. Remove the grille.
  8. Install the new grille in the reverse order of removal.

If you need more thorough steps, you can find a video tutorial online.

The grille replacement process is simple and straightforward. Yet, here are 5 tips that will make the job much easier for you:

1. Use An OEM Replacement Grille

replacement subaru grille

Before you can start the replacement process, you need to get a replacement grille. Always get OEM. It's because:

  • OEM replacement grilles have exactly the right dimensions
  • Subaru makes OEM replacement grilles with quality materials
  • It's easy to install an OEM replacement grille because the dimensions are right

You can save a lot of money by ordering a genuine OEM grille from us. We offer wholesale pricing for OEM grilles (as well as many other Subaru parts). You would get this OEM sport mesh grille for the Impreza at a dealership for about $300. You can get it from us for only $215. If you need help finding the right grille for your Impreza, you're welcome to contact us.

2. Use White Blankets Or Towels

You want to use two white blankets, or two sets of white towels:

  1. One blanket/set of towels for all the parts
  2. One blanket/set of towels for the new grille

The reason we suggest using white blankets or towels is to make it easy to see all the parts. If you lay the blanket or towels on a work bench or the floor, you can see all the parts. This will speed up the replacement process for you.

It's not a good idea to lay your new grille directly on the floor (or even on a table or work bench). That may result in scratches or nicks on your new grille. Instead, put it on a blanket or set of towels.

3. Use A Magnetic Bowl

Only a few things are more annoying than losing hardware while replacing a grille on your car. You can't complete the replacement process unless you have all the hardware on hand. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to use a magnetic bowl. During the removal process, put all the hardware in the bowl. It'll hold these parts for you until it's time to install the new grille. You can get a magnetic bowl for only a few bucks.

4. Use Plastic Wedges

If you have plastic wedges, use them to remove the grille clips. You could use a flathead screwdriver, but it can scratch the grille. Plastic wedges are the far safer option.

5. Take Your Time

Take your time! There's no reason to rush through the job. The plastic push clips can break with enough force. Also, the new grille could get scratched, or the heat shield could get damaged. If you go slow, you can be sure not to damage any of these parts.